Zika virus
investigated.
 Zika virus disease is caused by a virus
transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
 People with Zika virus disease usually have
symptoms that can include mild fever, skin
rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint
pain, malaise or headache. These symptoms
normally last for 2-7 days.
 There is no specific treatment or vaccine
currently available.
 The best form of prevention is protection
against mosquito bites.
 The virus is known to circulate in Africa,
the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.
Introduction
Zika virus is an emerging mosquito-borne
virus that was first identified in Uganda in
1947 in rhesus monkeys through a
monitoring network of sylvatic yellow
fever. It was subsequently identified in
humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United
Republic of Tanzania. Outbreaks of Zika
virus disease have been recorded in Africa,
the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.
 Genre: Flavivirus
 Vector: Aedes mosquitoes (which usually
bite during the morning and late
afternoon/evening hours)
 Reservoir: Unknown
Signs and Symptoms
The incubation period (the time from
exposure to symptoms) of Zika virus
disease is not clear, but is likely to be a few
days. The symptoms are similar to other
arbovirus infections such as dengue, and
include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis,
muscle and joint pain, malaise, and
headache. These symptoms are usually mild
and last for 2-7 days.
Potential complications of Zika virus
disease
During large outbreaks in French Polynesia
and Brazil in 2013 and 2015 respectively,
national health authorities reported
potential neurological and auto-immune
complications of Zika virus disease.
Recently in Brazil, local health authorities
have observed an increase in Guillain-Barré
syndrome which coincided with Zika virus
infections in the general public, as well as
an increase in babies born with
microcephaly in northeast Brazil. Agencies
investigating the Zika outbreaks are finding
an increasing body of evidence about the
link between Zika virus and microcephaly.
However, more investigation is needed to
better understand the relationship between
microcephaly in babies and the Zika virus.
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Other potential causes are also being
Transmission
Zika virus is transmitted to people through
the bite of an infected mosquito from
theAedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti in
tropical regions. This is the same mosquito
that transmits dengue, chikungunya and
yellow fever. However, sexual transmission
of Zika virus has been described in 2 cases,
and the presence of the Zika virus in semen
in 1 additional case.
Zika virus disease outbreaks were reported
for the first time from the Pacific in 2007
and 2013 (Yap and French Polynesia,
respectively), and in 2015 from the
Americas (Brazil and Colombia) and Africa
(Cabo Verde). In addition, more than 13
countries in the Americas have reported
sporadic Zika virus infections indicating
rapid geographic expansion of Zika virus.
Diagnosis
Infection with Zika virus may be suspected
based on symptoms and recent history (e.g.
residence or travel to an area where Zika
virus is known to be present). Zika virus
diagnosis can only be confirmed by
laboratory testing for the presence of Zika
virus RNA in the blood or other body
fluids, such as urine or saliva.
Prevention
Mosquitoes and their breeding sites pose a
significant risk factor for Zika virus
infection. Prevention and control relies on
reducing mosquitoes through source
reduction (removal and modification of
breeding sites) and reducing contact
between mosquitoes and people.
This can be done by using insect repellent
regularly; wearing clothes (preferably light-
coloured) that cover as much of the body as
possible; using physical barriers such as
window screens, closed doors and
windows; and if needed, additional personal
protection, such as sleeping under mosquito
nets during the day. It is extremely
important to empty, clean or cover
containers regularly that can store water,
such as buckets, drums, pots etc. Other
mosquito breeding sites should be cleaned
or removed including flower pots, used
tyres and roof gutters. Communities must
support the efforts of the local government
to reduce the density of mosquitoes in their
locality.
Repellents should contain DEET (N, N-
diethyl-3-methylbenzamide), IR3535 (3-[N-
acetyl-N-butyl]-aminopropionic acid ethyl
ester) or icaridin (1-piperidinecarboxylic
acid, 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-
methylpropylester). Product label
instructions should be strictly followed.
 Special attention and help should be given pain and headache. The incubation period
to those who may not be able to protect
themselves adequately, such as young (the time from exposure to symptoms) for
children, the sick or elderly. Zika virus disease is not known, but is
During outbreaks, health authorities may
likely to be a few days to a week.
advise that spraying of insecticides be
carried out. Insecticides recommended by o See your healthcare provider if you are
the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme may pregnant and develop a fever, rash,
also be used as larvicides to treat relatively
large water containers. joint pain, or red eyes within 2 weeks
Travellers should take the basic precautions after traveling to a place where Zika
described above to protect themselves from
has been reported. Be sure to tell your
mosquito bites.
Treatment health care provider where you
Zika virus disease is usually relatively mild traveled.
and requires no specific treatment. People
sick with Zika virus should get plenty of  The illness is usually mild with symptoms
rest, drink enough fluids, and treat pain and lasting for several days to a week after
fever with common medicines. If symptoms
worsen, they should seek medical care and being bitten by an infected mosquito.
advice. There is currently no vaccine
available.  People usually don’t get sick enough to go
WHO response to the hospital, and they very rarely die of
WHO is supporting countries to control Zika. For this reason, many people might
Zika virus disease through:
not realize they have been infected.
 Define and prioritize research into Zika
virus disease by convening experts and
partners.  Zika virus usually remains in the blood of
 Enhance surveillance of Zika virus and an infected person for about a week but it
potential complications.
 Strengthen capacity in risk communication can be found longer in some people.
to help countries meet their commitments
under the International Health Regulations.  Once a person has been infected, he or she
 Provide training on clinical management,
is likely to be protected from future
diagnosis and vector control including
through a number of WHO Collaborating infections.
Centres.
 Strengthen the capacity of laboratories to
detect the virus. Diagnosis
 Support health authorities to implement
vector control strategies aimed at  The symptoms of Zika are similar to those
reducing Aedes mosquito populations such
of dengue and chikungunya, diseases
as providing larvicide to treat standing
water sites that cannot be treated in other spread through the same mosquitoes that
ways, such as cleaning, emptying, and
transmit Zika.
covering them.
 Prepare recommendations for clinical care  See your healthcare provider if you
and follow-up of people with Zika virus, in
develop the symptoms described above
collaboration with experts and other health
agencies. and have visited an area where Zika is
found.

 If you have recently traveled, tell your

Symptoms
 Most people infected with Zika virus won’t
even know they have the disease because
they won’t have symptoms. The most
common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash,
joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes).
Other common symptoms include muscle
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healthcare provider when and where you
traveled.
 Your healthcare provider may order blood
tests to look for Zika or other similar
viruses like dengue or chikungunya.
Treatment
 There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine
to treat Zika infections.
 Treat the symptoms:

o Get plenty of rest.

o Drink fluids to prevent dehydration.

o Take medicine such as acetaminophen

(Tylenol®) or paracetamol to relieve
fever and pain.

o Do not take aspirin and other non-

steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

o If you are taking medicine for another

medical condition, talk to your
healthcare provider before taking
additional medication.

 If you have Zika, prevent mosquito

bites for the first week of your illness.

o During the first week of infection, Zika

virus can be found in the blood and
passed from an infected person to a
mosquito through mosquito bites.

o An infected mosquito can then spread

the virus to other people.

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